New Zealand tour of Sri Lanka, 2009

[Howsie]

Yeah, but that's the thing. Having to face good pace and bounce in its element is such a novelty.

It wouldn't have to be that good tbh, Thushara is nippy (135-140) and McIntosh has looked all at see against his bouncers. I think McIntosh could be a viable option if he sorted it out, but until then I don't see him making too many runs against decent fast bowling.

Howsie added 3 Minutes and 17 Seconds later...

I suppose that's fair, but McIntosh has the ability to knuckle down and not mind if the scorecard isn't ticking over, I don't think Guptill can do that.

I don't doubt that Guptil will be the overall better player, but atm, I judge Mcintosh higher.

Fair enough. McIntosh has the mental state to be a good test opener and if he can fix his short ball problem he should be fine.

 

[nz0003]

I'm liking the job of McIntosh atm, he's just knuckling down. Sure he has struggled a bit, but atleast he is putting a price on his wicket. Well done on getting 50.

 

[Howsie]

I've got a feeling Taylor's going to do something stupid.


Anyway's I'm of for a couple of hours, hopefully we don't see our usual collapse.

 

[irottev]

What's to bet Taylor will still get out to a slog sweep. Let's hope he learns. He's lucky, that was an easy chance.

We're batting too slowly and negatively. Just up it a bit. Doesn't mean play silly shots. Play into gaps to the bad balls. I've seen McIntosh miss a lot of half volleys, hit straight to fielders.

 

[TheGreemSim]

Good To See McIntosh Getting a decent score because he struggled to find form against India.

 

[irottev]

That was really harsh. Should have got the benefit.

 

[nz0003]

It feels like we've actually played alright, but ffs we're still in the ████.

 

[irottev]

Yeah and here goes the collapse. It's because we batted so slowly.

 

[Howsie]

Meh, not as bad as it could of been. Another start for Taylor though, should of gone on with it.


Oh and now McCullum's out. Go and live on the IPL you hack, learn to bat properly.

 

[King Pietersen]

Learn to bat properly? What did he do wrong? Cricinfo said he was playing forward to a ball the moved in, getting an inside edge. It's not like he was running down the pitch trying to smack the bowler back over his head for 6.

 

[Howsie]

Learn to bat properly? What did he do wrong? Cricinfo said he was playing forward to a ball the moved in, getting an inside edge. It's not like he was running down the pitch trying to smack the bowler back over his head for 6.

Angry. Plus he has to score some meaningful runs in a test, he hasn't done that for awhile. I'm wondering if he played that ball with the angled bat he uses, if so :doh

Howsie added 9 Minutes and 50 Seconds later...

What's the pitch playing like now, is there sharp turn yet?

 

[irottev]

McCullum was too tentative. He wasn't moving his feet. Seemed in bad form to me.

Our scoring rate wasn't good enough, sure we kept wickets in hand for a while, but the pressure was always on us. Plus if we want to at least draw batting time is all well and good, but if we still get bowled out behind that's less runs SL need in their second innings. Need to get close to their score still. Murili's gonna get you out eventually. You have to score.

I still think that decision on McIntosh was harsh. That hit him outside the line. Harper had done well til then. Then he turned down some fairer ones. He could have easily had a hundred off that many balls. Still I appreciate him for gutsing it out, it was a good innings despite getting hit etc.

 

[Howsie]

McCullum was too tentative. He wasn't moving his feet. Seemed in bad form to me.

Our scoring rate wasn't good enough, sure we kept wickets in hand for a while, but the pressure was always on us. Plus if we want to at least draw batting time is all well and good, but if we still get bowled out behind that's less runs SL need in their second innings. Need to get close to their score still. Murili's gonna get you out eventually. You have to score.

I still think that decision on McIntosh was harsh. That hit him outside the line. Harper had done well til then. Then he turned down some fairer ones. He could have easily had a hundred off that many balls. Still I appreciate him for gutsing it out, it was a good innings despite getting hit etc.

Totally agree with all those points. One thing I would of liked to have seen of McIntosh was working a few more singles, it was a gusty innings but he needed to rotate the strike more. The last thing you need with Murali and Mendis bowling is leaving a batsmen to face an entire over.

 

[aussie1st]

Thushara has come along nicely ever since his last test series. Didn't think he would be the one causing the Kiwis problems.

 

[Ari]

McCullum didn't look good at all hardly any foot movement. Big Jake has a point to prove now. Ok nevermind as I am typing this he has just gotten out.